Jack Nowell is "just about" alive following his stag party in Ireland over the weekend.
During Munster and Exeter's Champions Cup last-16 game on Saturday, the England international - who plays for Exeter - was pictured on the big screen at Thomond Park in the crowd with a beer in hand while wearing a Munster jersey.
"I had no clue about this on Friday," said Nowell, who is currently injured, told the BBC 5 Live Rugby Union Weekley podcast.
"On Friday, I got in from training, and then [Luke] Cowan-Dickie was saying, 'Nowellsy, come over and help me set up my BBQ'. I turned up at his house, and it was my Dad, brothers, couple of my best mates from back home. They said, 'Here's your passport, we're going over to Dublin'.
"They knew about it for months. The whole team knew about it as well, which made me very angry because normally I'm the guy that likes to organise stuff, and be in on the joke. To have the joke on me, was a bit gutting. It was an unbelievable weekend."
'The train was unbelievable because we were with all the Munster fans'
16 April 2022; Exeter Chiefs player Jack Nowell wearing a Munster jersey looks on during the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 Second Leg match between Munster and Exeter Chiefs at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Munster won Saturday's game 26-10, and the tie 34-23 on aggregate, to set up a quarter-final against Toulouse.
"We stayed in Dublin, travelled up [to Limerick] and back on the train," said Nowell.
"The train was unbelievable because we were with all the Munster fans going down.
"I’ve rocked up in this extra, extra, extra small rugby top - it must have been kids. Four XL shorts, full kit, full socks, everything and I was like, ‘Oh God.’ Everyone laughing.
"[The Munster fans] are actually unbelievable. I think I was being line out lifted in the little bar for about three hours after, around the back of the stadium.
"I think everyone sees the funny side of it, but a few people are saying it’s pretty disgraceful. I think a lot of people see the funny side of it and it was an unbelievable weekend. I don’t think I’m ever going to forget it.
"I spoke to Tom O'Flaherty after [the game]. He was on the pitch, and just started laughing. There as a stoppage in play. Ian Whitten looked across at him and said, 'What the hell are you laughing at? We're losing a big game'. They both turned around, looked up at the big screen, and I'm there necking a beer in a Munster top. Both of them just shook their heads."
Is that... no it can't be... IT IS 😱@nowellsy15 in a Munster shirt, pint in hand 😂
See you in Temple Bar Jack, with @1_Dickie, @samsimmonds_, @philldollman & @don_armand 🍺#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/4YJtbvcd18
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) April 16, 2022
Featured image: 16 December 2017; Jack Nowell of Exeter Chiefs during the European Rugby Champions Cup Pool 3 Round 4 match between Leinster and Exeter Chiefs at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile and 16 April 2022; Exeter Chiefs player Jack Nowell, wearing a Munster jersey, looks on during the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 Second Leg match between Munster and Exeter Chiefs at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
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